Abstract: A system is provided, including a plurality of donor cells and a first alginate structure that encapsulates the plurality of donor cells. The first alginate structure has a guluronic acid concentration of between 64% and 74%. The system additionally includes a second alginate structure that surrounds the first alginate structure, the second alginate structure having a mannuronic acid concentration of between 52% and 60%. A selectively-permeable membrane is coupled at least in part to the second alginate structure. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided, including a plurality of islets, and a hydrogel configured to macroencapsulate the plurality of islets. The hydrogel is implantable in a subcapsular space (21) of a kidney (22) of a subject and is shaped to define a planar configuration. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A system is provided, including a plurality of donor cells and a first alginate structure that encapsulates the plurality of donor cells. The first alginate structure has a guluronic acid concentration of between 64% and 74%. The system additionally includes a second alginate structure that surrounds the first alginate structure, the second alginate structure having a mannuronic acid concentration of between 52% and 60%. A selectively-permeable membrane is coupled at least in part to the second alginate structure. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A system is provided, including a plurality of donor cells and a first alginate structure that encapsulates the plurality of donor cells. The first alginate structure has a guluronic acid concentration of between 64% and 74%. The system additionally includes a second alginate structure that surrounds the first alginate structure, the second alginate structure having a mannuronic acid concentration of between 52% and 60%. A selectively-permeable membrane is coupled at least in part to the second alginate structure. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided, including a plurality of islets, and a hydrogel configured to macroencapsulate the plurality of islets. The hydrogel is implantable in a subcapsular space (21) of a kidney (22) of a subject and is shaped to define a planar configuration. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A system is provided, including a plurality of donor cells and a first alginate structure that encapsulates the plurality of donor cells. The first alginate structure has a guluronic acid concentration of between 64% and 74%. The system additionally includes a second alginate structure that surrounds the first alginate structure, the second alginate structure having a mannuronic acid concentration of between 52% and 60%. A selectively-permeable membrane is coupled at least in part to the second alginate structure. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A system is provided, including a plurality of donor cells and a first alginate structure that encapsulates the plurality of donor cells. The first alginate structure has a guluronic acid concentration of between 64% and 74%. The system additionally includes a second alginate structure that surrounds the first alginate structure, the second alginate structure having a mannuronic acid concentration of between 52% and 60%. A selectively-permeable membrane is coupled at least in part to the second alginate structure. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A method of detecting cancer cells is disclosed. The method comprises (a) contacting the cell which is suspicious of a cancerous or undifferentiated phenotype with 4-aminophenyl phosphate (p-APP) under conditions wherein alkaline phosphatase of the cell catalyzes a reaction of the cell with the p-APP, so as to generate a product capable of producing an electrical signal; and (b) measuring a level of the electrical signal, wherein a difference in a level of the electrical signal compared to a predetermined threshold is indicative of a cancer cell.

Abstract: A method of detecting cancer cells is disclosed. The method comprises (a) contacting the cell with a substrate for an enzyme under conditions wherein the enzyme catalyzes a reaction of the cell with the substrate, so as to generate a product capable of producing an electrical signal; and (b) measuring a level of the electrical signal, wherein a difference in a level of the electrical signal compared to a predetermined threshold is indicative of a cancer cell. The method may be adapted for diagnosis, monitoring a cancer therapy, identifying agents capable of treating cancer and individually optimizing a cancer therapy.

Abstract: A method of detecting cancer cells is disclosed. The method comprises (a) contacting the cell with a substrate for an enzyme under conditions wherein the enzyme catalyzes a reaction of the cell with the substrate, so as to generate a product capable of producing an electrical signal; and (b) measuring a level of the electrical signal, wherein a difference in a level of the electrical signal compared to a predetermined threshold is indicative of a cancer cell. The method may be adapted for diagnosis, monitoring a cancer therapy, identifying agents capable of treating cancer and individually optimizing a cancer therapy.

Abstract: A system is provided, including a plurality of donor cells and a first alginate structure that encapsulates the plurality of donor cells. The first alginate structure has a guluronic acid concentration of between 64% and 74%. The system additionally includes a second alginate structure that surrounds the first alginate structure, the second alginate structure having a mannuronic acid concentration of between 52% and 60%. A selectively-permeable membrane is coupled at least in part to the second alginate structure. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A protein is provided, including a glucose binding site, cyan fluorescent protein (CFP), and yellow fluorescent protein (YFP). The protein is configured such that binding of glucose to the glucose binding site causes a reduction in a distance between the CFP and the YFP. Substance monitoring apparatus (210) is also provided, including a semi-permeable barrier (212), adapted to be implanted in a body of a subject and to allow passage therethrough of a substance, while inhibiting passage therethrough of immune cells; and microorganisms (214), disposed within the semi-permeable barrier (212) so as to produce a measurable response to a level of the substance. A sensor (220) is adapted to measure the measurable response and not to measure a response of any mammalian cells that may be disposed within the semi-permeable barrier (212).

Abstract: Apparatus is provided, including a plurality of islets, and a hydrogel configured to macroencapsulate the plurality of islets. The hydrogel is implantable in a subcapsular space (21) of a kidney (22) of a subject and is shaped to define a planar configuration. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A protein is provided, including a glucose binding site, cyan fluorescent protein (CFP), and yellow fluorescent protein (YFP). The protein is configured such that binding of glucose to the glucose binding site causes a reduction in a distance between the CFP and the YFP. Substance monitoring apparatus (210) is also provided, including a semi-permeable barrier (212), adapted to be implanted in a body of a subject and to allow passage therethrough of a substance, while inhibiting passage therethrough of immune cells; and microorganisms (214), disposed within the semi-permeable barrier (212) so as to produce a measurable response to a level of the substance. A sensor (220) is adapted to measure the measurable response and not to measure a response of any mammalian cells that may be disposed within the semi-permeable barrier (212).

Abstract: Apparatus (20) is provided for implantation into a body of a subject, including isolated functional cells (28). At least one first barrier (22) having a first molecular weight cutoff is disposed with respect to the functional cells so as to protect the functional cells from components disposed within body fluid of the subject having molecular weights higher than the first cutoff. Photosynthetic elements (26) are disposed with respect to the functional cells so as to provide oxygen thereto. At least one second barrier (24) has a second molecular weight cutoff that is lower than the first cutoff. The second barrier is disposed with respect to the photosynthetic elements so as to protect the photosynthetic elements from components disposed within the body fluid of the subject having molecular weights higher than the second cutoff. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A method of detecting cancer cells is disclosed. The method comprises (a) contacting the cell with a substrate for an enzyme under conditions wherein the enzyme catalyzes a reaction of the cell with said substrate, so as to generate a product capable of producing an electrical signal; and (b) measuring a level of the electrical signal, wherein a difference in a level of said electrical signal compared to a predetermined threshold is indicative of a cancer cell. The method may be adapted for diagnosis, monitoring a cancer therapy, identifying agents capable of treating cancer and individually optimizing a cancer therapy.

Abstract: Low-cost, non-toxic and fast immunoassay systems (immunosensors) and uses thereof as analytical and diagnostic tools for detecting an immune response in a subject are disclosed. The systems and methods disclosed are based on recording an electrochemical signal which is generated proportionally to an enzymatic cascade reaction (enzyme-channeling) upon detecting an analyte, and therefore can be used to determine the titer level of an antibody analyte in a liquid sample such as artificial media, serum or blood both qualitatively and quantitatively, in a one-step and separation free immunoassay. Systems and methods based on recording an electrochemical signal which is generated proportionally to an enzymatic cascade reaction (enzyme-channeling) upon detecting an analyte, which utilize a non-toxic secondary substrate such as acetaminophen are also disclosed.

Abstract: A protein is provided, including a glucose binding site, cyan fluorescent protein (CFP), and yellow fluorescent protein (YFP). The protein is configured such that binding of glucose to the glucose binding site causes a reduction in a distance between the CFP and the YFP. Substance monitoring apparatus (210) is also provided, including a semi-permeable barrier (212), adapted to be implanted in a body of a subject and to allow passage therethrough of a substance, while inhibiting passage therethrough of immune cells; and microorganisms (214), disposed within the semi-permeable barrier (212) so as to produce a measurable response to a level of the substance. A sensor (220) is adapted to measure the measurable response and not to measure a response of any mammalian cells that may be disposed within the semi-permeable barrier (212).